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FAQs

Insure a vehicle

You need to have insurance for your vehicle before you register as the owner. You need to buy insurance from a private insurance company.

All vehicles must be insured for third-party liability for at least $200,000. This covers you in the event that you injure or kill someone or damage someone's property while driving. Collision insurance to cover damage to your own vehicle is a good idea, but not required by law.

When driving your own or someone else's vehicle, you must carry the “pink slip” (liability insurance card) for that particular vehicle.

Register a vehicle

When you register as the owner of a vehicle, you will get a green paper permit and licence plates. This process is called “registering” your vehicle.

If you buy a vehicle from a dealer: most dealers will do the paperwork for you.

If you buy a used vehicle: you will need to register the vehicle yourself.

If you own a truck or bus: you must have a valid Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR). Ontario confirms your CVOR status when you register or renew the vehicle’s licence plate. This requirement includes pick-up trucks.

If your vehicle is exempt from the CVOR program, you can declare that exemption when you register or renew your vehicle’s licence plate. Refer to pages 5 and 6 of module 4 in the Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Safety Manual to see if your vehicle is exempt.

Vehicle permit (ownership)

The vehicle permit has information about the owner of a vehicle and an accurate description of the vehicle. It contains:

the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

the make and model of the car

the name and address of the vehicle owner

the plate number that is attached to the vehicle

the smaller part of the licence plate validation sticker

You must carry your vehicle permit with you when you drive. You will be asked to produce this permit — to verify that you are the legal owner of the car you are driving — if you are pulled over by the police.

How do I:

Licence plate validation stickers

The licence plates on your vehicle must be valid. A licence plate sticker goes on a licence plate to confirm that the plates are valid. In most cases, validation stickers go on the rear plate in the top right corner. Most stickers are valid for either one or two years.

You need to renew your sticker before it expires, which is generally on your birthday.

Minister of Transportation

"Our government is focused on building Ontario up. For transportation and transit, that means record investments in highways and bridges, and building a seamless transportation network across the province to help boost jobs, productivity and get people and businesses moving."